The Way In Which We Live: Helping Police Help Themselves (That Includes Reform)

Allegory of Good Government
Ambrogio Lorenzetti 1338

Who wants someone to narrate to them, tell them who they are, and create the story. So I encourage police to start the conversation on how they are going to reform to ensure they are fulfilling their missions to the community and to the nation. While its just words in the wind at the moment I do believe that our capacity to draw strong human capital will be based in part, among many parts in the ability of our police to act with integrity and the wider system to enforce that integrity if there is default. 

That of course does not take away from the good officers doing the right thing but that is a just criticism that moves beyond those actually engaged in corruption to those that have not reported the crime or the system that struggles to act upon those crimes. To many, its more important to protect their homogeneous ethnic and racial clan then it is to protect the general will of the public. Role and responsibility confusion.

When I was younger we used to have this belief that policing was something we wanted to be and it was a noble occupation. We could be firefighters and could be the "good guys" which we associated with police. That has become increasingly difficult to differentiate because not all police are good (not all bad) and there are certain aspects of the system that take no responsibility when social contracts are broken. Notice kids don't play good cop police as much as they once did (Its a unscientific but important observation).

What I have seen over the past few years should offend our leadership and sting the souls of judges, politicians, religious leaders and general people of moral conscious. However, that doesn't appear to be the case. What does appear to have happened is that there has been an attempt to cover violations of state, national and international laws in an effort to "protect ones own". The official system is trying to placate/justify the shadow system (Its not a good third world place to be).

When these systems become tools (I'm talking about the corrupt individuals and the general incompetence of the system to fix itself) to hate and third world cleansing we have to wonder at what point will a concept called justice come into play (Yes, I do understand how justice is misused against minorities, children, and those who rightly criticize corruption. People like us are called everything to delegitimize and cover up crimes.). We then can look around at others and the world around us and see that there are a huge percentage of people complaining but are having their rights and protections circumvented (I can speculate why based on sociological changes, narrow recruitment lens, and political perversions of America's values). 

My suggestion is to any system, organization, or black market is to take a good look at itself and take to heart the complaints of people. Try and develop the highest moral standards and ensure accountability not only on the officers who engaged in crimes but also those who they allowed others to engage in crimes (This isn't about punishment at all. This is about correction and accountability. Something corrupt systems avoid). I do recognize that I come from the lowest caste of society and laws become increasingly subjective when you are in this sociological stratification but sometimes, everyone once in a while, the 'little' people (including the marginalized) may have something important to say. 

*This is in honor to the victims of corruption (specifically two people) and those who were recipients of unAmerican and dishonorable police practices. This hopefully does not detract from the good officers trying to do the right thing but is a direct challenge to those who are more worried about their clan than their country or community. 

The U.S. is Running Out of Monkeys for Research

The U.S. is running out of research monkeys. As you likely know monkeys, due to their similarities with humans (I don't see it! How does one make that association? 🤷) are often used in research. Except now we have a monkey shortage. 'The U.S. Is Running Out of Research Monkeys'

Thought it was interesting research news.  There are some opposed to the use of monkeys. I get it! If there are alternatives we should use them. I'm not sure if you can completely get rid of their use at this time but I suspect there are places where alternatives would be much better. 

Why Our Justice System Will Begin to Adjust (Global Pressure and Foot Dragging)

No system can go on forever without some type of change. Whether your a company, a government entity, or even a person we all must grow and change. When we fail to change and we are harming people in the process, we run risks of low institutional support, we will run out of track because the train kept going at full speed when the most effective path has long ago changed. I believe we are coming to a place where change will be an important part of the ability of institutions to maintain long term public support (Remember that rapid changes in technology and interconnectivity will influence institutions that are not aligned to the goals of that generation.).

There is an interesting piece provided by the World Bank and how institutions are likely going to be a big part of growth. World Bank Institutional Strength and Support. Developing strong institutions will lead to easing of transitional tension as people trust those institutions to have their best interests in mind. While some of our institutions are functioning well (not include the politics that are put on them) we do have problems in others that are left unrectified.

I do recognize that when we think about this from an ethnocentric political perspective the first thing is to condemn with great harshness any criticism of any kind (Its also why we now have this problem in the first place. Even intellectuals have to wonder if they should provide constructive advice or not. it can be risky sometimes. 🤷). That leads to intentional barriers that insulate against reasonable and just opinions that change is a helpful criteria of the long term health of the entire justice system (or any system for that matter. See Harvard article on Trust as the Secret to Adaptable Organizations and sort of compare that with Public Perceptions Justice and 45% Trust Rate some ideas U.S. Courts Preserving Trust  and how big data is going to sort of create a potentially embarrassing situation for courts across the land. White House Police Accountability. This is also why I encourage proactivity in governance problems versus waiting until its a bigger problem.). 

While this study is related to companies we find that short term thinking limits our growth in many ways. This why we should encourage longer term approach (over the horizon thinking) to problems versus short term power over approaches that have crept into our conversations and in turn stifled the probabilities of stronger future performance and resolution of looming issues. See Short and Long Termism Outcomes.

I'm a 100% supporter of police because we have no real viable and practical options at this time. Even if we were transitioning I would still have support for good officers because they acted nobly. In that support, I say we need to revamp the system so that it is not insulated from correcting its mistakes and holding to account corrupt and immoral behaviors. This is necessary because while the vast majority 75-80% (might be less) of officers are honorable people, there is still a huge percentage who have no/little respect for the law (or anyone else).

Who speaks for those who have no voice and those who have few rights? We can't just keep talking about the constitution, patriotism and other things if we are struggling to live a full version of that within society. We have work to do to ensure that our American ideals apply across the board to all Americans. We cannot have different applied laws for different people. Our nation is built off of the belief that free men/women determine their own fate and have inherent value (Corruption is a different type of unAmerican belief that enriches self/clan at the expense of society. I have seen this lack of accountability for giving free passes to potentially criminal behavior because of social, ideological, racial, and religious oriented associations. While these behaviors are likely nationally and internationally illegal within the context in which they were committed, they might be seen by some as "acceptable" because of misalignment of values. I wish I could say something different here or say that isn't at least partly true. I'm not sure what the end result is but I'm doing it in honor of two people who were victims of that behavior. I'm saddened it occurred, we allowed it to occur and then struggled with justice afterward. It changes ones perspective on the need for institutional change. No amount of parked cars, following home, false allegations or targeting will now change that for me until there is meaningful adjustment. I drew my line to protect my kids. I will continue to support my community and the good officers within it but I will not sugar coat the behaviors of well connected homogeneous individuals. My oaths preclude to not do this, and I have an obligation to the victims as well as the next generation.)

Its hard to explain the economic impact of not living and fulfilling our institutional missions and oaths. While to some the moral conscious violations alone might be enough (internally motivated people) most others want the financial cost (externally motivated people) to make any changes. In other words, "What's in it for them to change?" Let us move forward and think about some of the incentives of waiting to long to adjust to the needs of the general population.

The immediate answer is "not much". They are temporarily insulated from the consequences and failures of forthright thinking. However, that is a relatively short time. World pressures are going to force the U.S. to make major changes to maintain its competitive position.  Failure to maximize on Human Capital is part of that necessary adjustment (Remember that belated late interest at the ballot box). While the super connected and "elite" of society will try to dominate the conversation by pushing their somewhat insulated perspective they will not be able to effectively do that because everyone else has a bigger steak in the game now (I think intellectuals, scientists and others will have a bigger influence in decision making to balance out magical thinking with occasional alternatives. They can be wrong too so its an informal negotiation between evidence, salability, and practicality). 

Consider a few articles that indicate there are members within those institutions that recognize the need for change and have been working toward our national and/or humanity oriented goals. DOJ Police Integrity (lack of accountability within the U.S. system), UN International Police Corruption (notice difficulties in recruitment, training, accountability) and White House Approach to Corruption (Its helpful but without action its more or less just something posted for PR purposes. That doesn't neglect the times, hopefully many, that good things happened from having the policy as guide.) (Let me add we can change this for the better but it takes leadership commitment in protecting our fellow Americans; especially those with no voice and quickly sidelined.)

Todays young people have lots of education, tech knowledge, opinions, and are willing to challenge. They also lack opportunities their grandparents had, ideas/concepts bubble forward, and concerns spread quickly within their networks. Justice is central to our ability to maintain shared values and perspectives and our current generation has failed to fully update the system to ensure it fulfills its most important missions. It has goal confusion (Some want justice and a few want their clans, groups, friends, race, religion, etc. to have preferential treatment.)

Here is my suggestion. We should start making reasonable and positive bi-partisan changes that ensure the system has a basic standard of integrity (Most officers and departments have the right skills but some have been compromised). Once that is established, we can then think about methods that improve the effectiveness of policing along with increasing public support and transparency (In the modern world we use formally trained police but from a species standpoint we need enforcement of certain rules and values. Thus getting people involved means better ensuring the outcomes are in alignment with the needs of the people by requiring incremental adjustments that it works for society and not other way around.)

So the criticism can be something positive and a chance to diversify and enhance our policing (As long as we stay away from brow beating answers and daylight acts of intimidation.). This is why we need people to join our police, get involved in helping their communities, and make the changes necessary for it to function well. We can do that from within the system by encouraging the young to take service as important avenue to their development (Just remember that Code Blue is less important than the codes of Red, White & Blue). That will also create some pressure so the external and entrenched stakeholders must consider the needs of the officers and not an agenda or their reelection (You should try the dishwasher integrity training program I think I'm going to a good try. It doesn't pay well but you can at least hold your head high! Freedom of Speech comes with lots of unfree stuff but it is those who stand up for right that make changes. At least that is what we read in our history books. I wonder if its true in real life? 🤔). It is also an opportunity to adjust the system to address the most important concerns of the American people (Not only those who work within or benefit financially or politically from it.)

I'm a supporter of the police and the population. I do not see the same differences between races and religions that many other see and use as anchor points in their decisions. To me, our American youth are important eagle eggs that when groomed can be a contributing factors to American redevelopment and reemergence (Others may not agree but they also make short term choices so there is some misalignment between words and behaviors. I think this more or less is a political problem and the need to say things to get support but then not really worry about whether they have improved the total system in some way). To some, they are more worried about the color and which luxury nest those eggs are placed than the inherent value/worth of each of those eggs. That is just my minority opinion, there are probably others who disagree and will ensure only their narrative counts (Reread again to understand the dangers of narrow insight and decision making anchors. Restart from beginning if confused.). We have more responsibility to the next generation at this important juncture in America's competitive positional history then any other social or financial considerations. I mean hypothetically if we want to build/re-build/maintain a great nation.

Let us turn the page in our shared American history.....

Risks to the U.S. Dollar and the Costs Associated: How do we maintain?

There is one thing that I agree with Niall Ferguson, Stanford University Hoover Institute Senior Fellow, that the US dollar will still be the primary currency. The change will be gradual until it reaches a certain point and I suspect then it will decline faster as another option becomes seen as just as stable. Consider the advantages and risks of governance on the dollar.

America sells its stability to the world and the dollar is seen as an extension of that trust in stability. It helps to be a consistently strong economy with effective governance. However, we have risks in our governance and stability now that didn't exist in full display five years ago (Some of those problems existed they just didn't rear their head yet). 

There are advantages to having the world economy use the dollar as the standard medium of exchange. Business becomes easier allowing for more international business contracts. Our costs of borrowing and exchange are less which means more business deals (I call them transactions).  Our economic and political influence is stronger. With all of that great stuff you now see why China wants their own currency to lead.

The first thing we need to do is get serious in governance. We have issues such as knock down drag out political fights (required blind button pressing), mistrust in our justice system, extremism (nearly downing our entire national government. We don't hear much about it anymore but there are still elements out there.), and a general failure to adjust due to encampment and misalignment of central values. 

Its not all over of course because there are other factors that the nations of competitive dollars face. We also are adaptive but reactive people. Meaning we wait and wait and wait to fix glairing issues and then when we finally understand the importance of a problem and begin to work together we scrape together a solution. I believe if we started proactively to solve problems we would be in a stronger future situation (ok sometimes proactive but mostly reactive.).

The news is not all bleak. We will change and we will adjust and the U.S. has a great chance to rejuvenate into the Digital Era. There is movement now to get people to work together and find solutions. That is what is going to make some of the biggest difference in our options and outcomes. To ensure we don't get into this situation again we probably should think more about what type of leadership we need and how we are selecting some of our leaders. We need the best and brightest to mix up the connected opportunity criteria. 'Integrity Is an Important Concept for Leaders and National Institutions'

A few solid pieces on the value of the U.S. dollar.

In US Dollar Share of Global Foreign Exchange Reserves Drops to 25-Year Low we find the U.S. Dollar beginning to decline as emerging economies look to diverse their holdings. 

On the bottom of the Federal Reserve report you can see some of the challenges to the U.S. dollar. 

'The International Role of the U.S. Dollar'

Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement (May 3rd, 2023). Low Unemployment and High Federal Interest Rate

The Federal Reserve voted to increase the Federal Funds Rate from 5 to 5.25% Their goal is to get down to 2% eventually. You can read more about that within the 'Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement May 3rd, 2023'. The interest rate hike appears to be trying to slow the economy down more while not jeopardizing the banking system or industries (Its like this imperfect tool that is still dull. As our economic science develops that butter knife could become scalpel in economic policy). Is there something more to it? 

You will also find the following statements:

  -"Economic activity expanded at a modest pace in the first quarter. Job gains have been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation remains elevated."

  -"The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient. Tighter credit conditions for households and businesses are likely to weigh on economic activity, hiring, and inflation. The extent of these effects remains uncertain. The Committee remains highly attentive to inflation risks."

There maybe a connection between the high interest rate and the low unemployment rate. Consider, a study that indicates that when the interest fund rate decline unemployment rose. 'The Relationship Between Interest /Federal Funds Rate and Unemployment Rate in American Economy Outlooks.' The researchers state that there is statistically significant inverse relation between the Interest/Fed Rate and unemployment rate.

-"On our compute F-Test Statistics by rejecting H0 if "F" is more significant
than "Fα," the result came out TRUE that our F > Fα. This means the unemployment rate has a
statistically significant effect on the Fed funds rate at α=0.05."

I'm just trying to understand how this functions so try not to judge prematurely. If we have low unemployment and high interest rates it means the economy is running too fast. At the same point, lower interest rates should show unemployment rising. Whether that is a natural relationship or an artificial one I'm not sure at the moment. I would suppose its natural relationship not connected to the science that measures it (meaning its not just a abstraction in science.) 

Unemployment is often seen as available labor units so if we increase technology we would expand that capacity greatly. That becomes increasingly true if we are able to maintain employment through human expanding tech (versus human replacement tech.) If human capital is expanded, we might find increased labor capacity mimicking unused unemployment capacity and create downward pressure on Interest /Fed Rate (I can't imagine this would have an immediate impact but maybe 6 months down the road. Its just an imperfect idea.).

Technology improvements may just shift the productivity benchmark line through improved capacity and utilization rightward thereby maximizing the benefits of human capital based investments. The new technology and capacity is a type innovative platform shift in human capital capacity as enhanced through human advancing industrial-creative tech. Think of all the new tech and AI stuffing coming out and how that is going to expand human capacity quicker then anything we have seen before in history (These are not facts but just possibilities. 🤔)

Let us move down a possible line of logic. Investment in technology at the time when we are having a platform shift would likely be profitable and that in turn could expand human capacity if focused properly into industrial and creative capacities (The right kind of tech and not necessarily the way the tech industry is defined). New products increase labor capacity and in turn national productivity i.e. GDP growth (Its not robotics vs labor but we should thinking about technology as enhancing and expanding human labor. Thus, it keeps the human employment concerns central to design.)

The one thing many emerging market economies (increased GDP growth) have is cheaper labor costs (How modern China started growing through cheap labor). Improved technology reduces the per labor cost while still keeping the population employed and contributing to the economy. I wonder if this is what an American Renaissance could look like where market leading innovation, human capacity/capital and digital platform/infrastructure connect in a meaningful functional way? (I would have to go back through the logic and pull many different studies that theoretically connect it together. Just because they are associated wouldn't necessarily mean they are causative. See GDP Digital US, China 2030 Patent Digital Infra, Economic Value Human Capital, FDI and Human Cap, Post Covid, Start-Up DC)

Folowosele, Oluwatosin. (2020). The Relationship Between Interest /Federal Funds Rate and Unemployment Rate in American Economy Outlooks.

World Economic Forum Indicates 25% of Jobs will Disappear in 5 Years (Platform Shift)

It is encouraged to have our leadership consider the benefits of moving to a higher economic platform and I believe that to be good advice. Of course with all things, everyone wants a little something from the pie, so we will likely get into all the side arguments and that will lower our overall ability to focus on what is important. There will become a point where we become beyond the sweet spot where maximum advantage can come from proactive thinking. (Reactive on big trends is reactive management and often leads to greater loss.). 

There is this thing called freedom of speech that leaders and people use to bring forward ideas and solve problems. Some believe in it and some don't (I have seen stifling and encouraging). The reason why we have this freedom is to improve society and improve coordination. Wise use of that is to help people think beyond the obvious and our own self interest to something more important and beneficial for society (from a generation to generation perspective). 

Coming up with a reasonable economic plan makes sense. Let us consider this tree I have been barking up about human capital. Let us consider the WEF report

'Future of Jobs' (Lots of big data in this report. Methodology seems ok and its insightful for sure. Definitely worth reading.)

What we find is that there is a platform shift where new jobs will be created, old ones will be destroyed and the very nature of commerce and social life shift. Digitization and new innovative strategies that bridge the gap between the human and robotic capacities. Our world is likely to change quickly and I would like to see if the rest of our society can adapt (My theory I'm working on is about economic and social adaptivity to innovation and change.)

We are changing and we only partially see that change and it will have impact on all aspects of our society in one for or another. We can talk all day about human capital development, innovative capacity systems (i.e. innovative systems), human rights, education, research, big data (changing our narrow lens) government platforms and the like. Its just rhetoric unless we seek to meet the emerging trends and strengthen our nation.

None of that conversation is going to come to much benefit unless we have the leadership that has the capacity to think over the horizon, work with multiple stakeholders (i.e. both parties) and follow their own internal compass (Easier said then bragged about or done.). Good and wise leadership should step forward to encourage the nation to adapt. That leads me to this drivel....

'Our Two Biggest National Threats Post Afghanistan? (Decision Making and Human Capital Management'

*We will also need to discuss the importance of ensuring increased integrity of institutions as we move through these transitions. That is a very difficult thing to do sometimes because everyone has an opinion and their opinions are seen as 100% fact. Yet institutional trust is what allows these transitions to be more coordinated and manageable. Its sometimes confusing why integrity is important from a human capital level and economic growth level but let us just go with it for the moment. Let us call it the benefit of doubt. Its not the Santos Method but hey...at the end of the day you got to work with chips you have. Monkeys and Social Learning

The Power of Hate and Corruption (The Subtle Undercurrent of Right over Wrong)

In my life I have seen people do good and I have seen people do bad. However, when it comes to hate and corruption there are sometimes little to no backstops for those behaviors. Each time the power of hate and corruption gains a footing it also erodes the official system (While I can find the short term logic I cannot find the long term logic of corruption). I'm a believer in moral conscious within governance and the transcendent power of truth over falsehood. As such I oppose corruption and believe the potential for corruption should be investigated and accounted for when it occurs.

While some may not officially make changes there are always undercurrents and consequences for leaders who fail to live up to their professed values and delve into the secret arts of corruption and hate. They are not obvious reasons at first but they do grow over time through a more natural order of life and the need for a healthy society. It might very well be that the need for good social governance supersedes the short term gains of corruption (See short and long term logically failures)

The One thing Modern Voters Hate Most

These are not obvious consequences as a direct 1 for 1 relation you might find in official systems (This is why we encourage transparency, accountability and strong decision making). When there is corruption the goals are often self benefit and/or benefit a group/clan. Of course in hidden form. That benefit comes in financial or social form that takes resources away from society as a whole. Where corruption gains, the society feels a decline and struggles. If we find this to be a regular occurrence we tip the scales from growing societies to weakening societies (Let's take a good look here at what actually is patriotic on a root level).

I have talked in the past about how unchecked corruption spreads and leaks to others places and venues where it eventually creates a shadow system. While all systems have shadows the strength and power of that shadow system to function without checks and balances is a sign of the health of the entire system. Where the official system beats out the corrupt system we have health where the other wins we have illness. Its a matter of extent. That is why integrity in all our decision making is necessary.

Corruption and complexity: a scientific framework for the analysis of corruption networks

What this study indicates is that 1.) a structural analysis helps explain the interconnect nature of corruption, 2.) it is possible to measure the degeneracy of companies (I think this can be applied to any entity including governments and/or departments). 3.) hidden complexity where there is lack of information (hidden information found during an investigation), and 4.) corruption can create an emergent system (I talked in past about embedded networks). 

Corruption is a system within a system. While individuals may have corrupted souls these are called crimes but when connected to a coordinated group where public resources are used it is called corruption. When we know these things are occurring and we do not act on them we have come to accept corruption as a normal state of affairs (Many countries work off of shadow systems. i.e. bribes, social connections, religious castes, ethnic groups, corrupt courts, etc. This isn't something new. The official and shadow co-exist). If issues are repeated enough they can be called a system failure based on systemic failures and lack of capacity to correct.

No matter the type of corruption we are talking about it is incumbent on people to stand up to it and report it. Those in official positions who hear about that corruption have an obligation to investigate and determine its validity. If they fail to do that or they do that in a way that is inherently inaccurate then we have bigger issues we have to deal with as a nation and as a people. An existing system of corruption (part or whole) and no mechanism with checks and balances is not a wise place to be in any form of governance. Thus integrity is needed (It doesn't apply to any specific place or incident but a general need for integrity across all systems in any place)

As such systems function and consume resources and create masses of victims it also begins to create its own objectives (Its own objectives not stated publicly). Despite the best attempts to hide corruption people become increasingly aware, they become more disdainful of that corruption, and those institution that are engaged in corruption begin to decline in institutional trust (This is becoming more common and I encourage avoiding this as much as possible. Words into the wind). Its a natural system outside the hands of any official. The natural system exists in every society and nation. People understand falsehood on a deeper level and they know intuitively what is right and what is wrong. They begin to act in subtle ways that continues to expose that corruption and thwart that corruption for the health of all of society. There is a subtle undercurrent of power of right over wrong that those who engage in and/or support do not always factor into their prospects (any level of system). 

From a research perspective:

Sometimes you get to see two systems functioning and battling for official and unofficial dominance. We have the corrupt system (potential) and we have an official system (assumed). All types of interesting things are likely to be found in emerging corruption scandals such as who knew what, when did they know it, who acted with integrity and who shirked their responsibilities, who is protecting the public and who is harming the public, who was lying and who was telling the truth. etc, etc., etc.... If you get the rare chance of watching corruption unfold it is definitely worth learning from such situations. Sometimes societies make improvements and sometimes they just ignore it to their own detriment in the future. If I was a corruption researcher, or government official who believes in system integrity, I would be giddy about the opportunity to investigate corruption in live form. Its rare, so if an example comes along I think its beneficial to take a good look so as to improve the health and vitality of our nation through combating corruption (and indifference to corruption) in other places. The later being of fairly big concern. The difficulty our protective systems sometimes have in consistently standing up for certain central principles. Sometimes they do and sometimes they wait. That is why emerging issues tell us a lot as to who acts on their values, who is indifferent, which agencies have more integrity and which leaders walk the talk . It's a proof in pudding learning situation. Always check the assumptions. We dont know if corruption actually exists until we have the moral integrity and wisdom to stand for our shared American values and fulfill the duty to investigate. Useless philosophical drivel. Discard quickly please. Blah blah blah Soap box!